A State Memorial Service to honour and celebrate the life of Harold Mitchell was held today at Hamer Hall in Melbourne.
Attendees included Victoria premier Jacinta Allan, ex Victoria premier Steve Bracks, ex Victoria premier Jeff Kennett, ex Victoria premier Dan Andrews, Eddie McGuire and Virginia Trioli.
The audience heard tributes from Seven West Network chairperson Kerry Stokes and prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.
Much of the serviced centred around Mitchell's impactful contribution to the arts, not-for-profit causes and humanitarian work in Timor.
Today would have been the 82nd birthday of the man considered to be the father of media agencies.
He died in February from complications following knee surgery.
You can watch the service HERE
Mitchell started in advertising in 1960 as an office boy at the Melbourne agency Briggs & James.
In 1976 he went out on his own and launched the independent media buying company, Mitchell & Partners. From a standing start with $2000, he grew the company into Mitchell Communication Group, ultimately selling to Aegis for $363 million in 2010.
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